How Do I Know If My Dog Is A Good Show Dog?
If you have never shown your dog before and thinking of starting, you are best to find and contact your local Ringcraft class for training. Training, for both you and your dog is very important.
It is important that both you and your dog enjoy showing, however at the higher level shows it can be quite critical. Start out at the Fun Show, then Open Shows, then, if you are ready, Champ Shows. Work your way up gradually as you gain more experience. Attend a Champ show as a spectator (without your dog) and just watch. You may not like championship shows, so there is no harm sticking with Open and Fun show. Know your dogs limits.
If you purchased your puppy from a 'dog show breeder' your dog may have good breeding and many Champions in its pedigree. However, even if you have the best pedigree, the best trained dog and the best handling skills it does not necessarily mean your dog is a good show dog.
Your dog will be judged against its Kennel Club Breed Standard (specific for each breed). Any deviation away from the breed standard is classed as a fault and you may be penalised for this when being judged. For example if your dog is too tall or too short compared to what your breed standard says, then this is classed as a fault.
Dog are not only judged on the way they look, but also on the way they move, walk or trot, their character, their expression, their bone structure and their teeth. It is up the to judge to decide which of these points are more important. There is no set points table for each attribute. It is completely up to the judge and their decision on the day.
It helps to know and understand your breed standard as you will then understand what your judge is looking for and what makes one dog better than the other.
Below is the link to the Kennel Club website where you can look up your Breed Standard.
Breed Standard Explained
Breed Standard
The Kennel Club breed standards are the guidelines to which all pedigree dogs must be judged.
A breed standard describes the ideal characteristics, temperament and appearance including the correct colour of a breed and ensures that the breed is fit for function.
It helps to know and understand your breed standard as you will then understand what your judge is looking for and what makes one dog better than the other.
Find your Breed Standard on-line via the Kennel Club Website.
Points of a Dog
This diagram shows all the different 'Points of a Dog'.
The Mini Schnauzer breed standard says "Hindlegs (upper and lower thighs) at first vertical to the stifle; from stifle to hock, in line with the extension of the upper neck line; from hock, vertical to ground."
But what does that actually mean????
The First Thigh (32) should be straight down to the stifle (33). The angle or slope from the stifle (33) to the hock (35) must be in line with the angle of the slope of neck (9). And the hock (35) is vertical.
Knowing where these points are helps to understand your breed standard.
Structural Balance of the Dog
This diagram shows at what points of your dog the angulation is measured from.
It also shows where the height and the length of your dog is measured from.
The Mini Schnauzer Breed standard says " Length of body equal to height from top of withers to ground." Which means, the distance between B and E should be the same as A to the ground.
Correct angulation and conformation of your dog is what will determine if your dogs movement is correct and if the overall appearance of your dog is as it should be.
Movement Terminology
This picture shows the correct rear movement of a dog (Top 2 pictures) and the other pictures show common faults.
Below are some of the terminology used to describe faults in movement.
- Too close behind - when the back legs almost rub together
- Cow Hocked - when the hocks point inward
- Toeing In - When the front or rear feet point inward
- Single Tracking - When the front or back feet land in the same track as the other one. This is acceptable in some breeds such as Collies.
- Hackneying - When the front legs lift up too high, like a Hackney pony. (Although this is desirable in Miniature Pinschers)
- Crabbing - When the rear legs move out to one side
- Pacing - When the same side legs move forward at the same time.